This is a zine dedicated to black metal written by a follower of the left hand path, This zine has been around in a different format for a while and I have decided to make an edition for www.blogger.com, for more information email occultblackmetalzine@yahoo.com, new albums as well as classic albums will be reviewed on here as long as their good quality black metal,

Thursday, February 25, 2010

1.Can you update with what is going on with Ungod these days?
We have recorded 7 songs for several split releases. 6 are brand new stuff and 1 is a remake of a song from 1996. Songtitles are Deus est homo/thy serpents tonque/the wielding fist of the mangod/transsexual seraphs/blackwinged whore(leathercunt II)/firestorm,ashes ... genocide (2009 version) & born of the shadow womb.
those songs will appear on a hellish crossfire split 10 EP a ungod/black feast split 7 EP and a 3 way split lp with üparagon belial and zarathustra

2.How would you describe your sound for those that have never heard you before?
Ugly stinking old school extreme metal without comprimises and without modern influences!
a good dose of catchiness!

3.I know that you disbanded for a few years, what was the cause of the break up, what where you doing the hiatus and what made you decide to reform the band?
Yeah,the band broke up in 1998 because of several personal reasons. It did just not really work out anymore. Our drummer continued playing in several bands and I continued my miserable life as "normal" fan by drinking,collecting records etc.
The band came back when huuricane from kneel before the masters throne records asked for a re release of our debut album.
so we decided to givi it a try again.

4.How did you hook up with Kneel Before The asters Throne Records and what is youe opinion on the other bands that are singed to the label?
I knew dennis(hurricane) already some years and he came to us asking for the re release of circle of the seven infernal pacts. Instead he first re released our 1996 mcd conquering what once was ours with bonustracks on vinyl & cd.circle .. will follow soon! I like most of the bands he is releasing and know the old stuff he reissued quite good since years.so more power to them!

5.Do you Do you have any other projects going on besids Ungod?
No

6.Have you had the oppurtunity to do a live show and if so how would you describe your stage performance?
Ungod did never play live so far due to many line up problems etc., but one day we will hit the stage for sure!Leather,spikes & metal is what you´ll get!

7.What are some bands that you would like to do shows with or tour?
There are many,but those here would be great:blasphemy,sarcofago, hellish crossfire,desaster,witchburner,pentacle and any faithful to the old roots band!
no political and wimpy shit bands!

8.How would you describe your musical progress over the years and whatdirection do you see the music heading into on the new material?
We obviously became better at our instruments and we are better songwritters now,at least a bit,hehe. We wont change too much since that´s what Ungod is all about - chaos,catchiness and pure fucking metal spirit! Too many old bands became just wishy washy over the years by incorporating new elements into their sound/style.we´ll keep it our way and we don´t betray our followers!

9.When can we expect the next release?
At the end of march we will release the În numele Metalului Est-European Demotape in a limited edition of 100 tapes.This is Ungods Tribute to the Ancient East European Scene when Bands like
Master`s Hammer, Root,Tormentor,Turbo,Törr,Kat and the likes ruled the World
with obscure fucking Metal! You`ll get to hear 7 of our Songs with rumanian
Vocals sung by our Guest singer Zdrobitor.
then we hope that all those split releases will come out without to big delays.
We plan to record a new full length album at the end of the year.

10.What is the meaning behind the band's name?
Ungod can also be explained as the mangod.simply said - man is his own god!

11.How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
Heresy, blasphemy, ancient wisdom and a good dose of obscenity. I think that realy summs it up. Some lyrics are just plain simple some have a deeper meaning. This just depends on the mood of the song. We are no bookwritters nor any poetic guys.the lyrics just have to fit the music.

12.Out off all the releases that you have recorded so far which one are you the most satisfied with?
I love all our releases! Right now I´m very much into the new songs we have recorded.

13.How has your music been recieved so far by black metal fans worldwide?
The old underground people are still into us and the younger onces start to discover Ungod as an old cult band from the early nineties. It does not realy matter to us anyways - we like what we do.

14.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the music of Ungod and what are you listening to nowadays?
When we first startet out it was bands like sodom,destruction,bathory,hellhammer,posessed,celtic frost,samael and the likes. Being underground freaks and tape traders it was also stuff like blasphemy,rotting christ,sarcofago,varathron,sadistik exekution and stuff like that. We all listen to metal/rock only and our tastes are in some ways different.i listen to alot of eighties metal be it speed/thrash
power or whatever metal
while the others are more on the extreme side of it all.
in the end we all are a unit of die hard metal freaks!

15.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in the band or music?
Satanism not,but if you mean by occultism everything obscure,unexplainable and kinda dark - yes.
i´m too old for any "isms".

16.What forms of the Occult are you interested in?
Everything mysterious and everything that is kinda forbidden or nonunderstandable to common human beings. There is so much going on in the twilight world that you can´t realy explain by simple words.

17.What are some of your interests outside of music?
Not really that much outside music. Everything in my life is somewhow linked to music. Being a real dedicated metal fan there are not too many other things to do besides buying records,drinking and visiting shows.

18.Any final words or thoughts of blasphemy?
Thanx alot for investing time in our little band! Hope it was not too boring for you!Look out for ungod releases when you get the chance for it!All the best!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Cobalt are a 2 piece band from Greely, Colorado that started out as a war metal band that has evolved more into an experimental black metal band with this release and this is a review of their 2008 ep "Landfill Breastmilk Beast" which was released by Profound Lore Records during the year of 2008 a few months before the releases of their newest full length "Gin" which I have not heard yet.

Drums on this recording are mostly slow beats with some ocassional fast blast beats while the bass playing has a very heavy sound that is mostly slow and you can actually hear it on this recording, and on the last song there are alot of effects in the ambient noise vein that sounds very ritualistic as well as nature orientated.

Rythym guitars are mostly slow with alot of noise and distortion that has influences from noise rock, crust, sludge and black metal, while the guitar leads are noisy and chaotic with some primitive sounding guitar solos, while the acoustic guitars use full chords and contain a very dark feel that has alot of sorrow and depression.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls and some spoken word samples, while the lyrics are kind off ritualistic with a touch of philosophy, as for the production on this epwhich was recorded at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado with Dave Otero sounds very professional and you can hear all of the instruments.

Cover art on this album kind of has an artistic feel to it but it it is ruined by having cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon on it which looks all white trash and backwoods American redneck, and I would say that it is the most pathetic black metal album cover I have ever seen.

In my opinion this is an ok recording, even though I prefered their earlier material, if you like experimental black metal you might like this ep, and while I cannot agree with some of the band members views on alot of things, I feel they are a talented band and this is a good release.

Arckanum are a band from Sweden that has been around for 2 decades that plays Anti Cosmic Chaos Gnostic black metal, who has also had their current album reviewed by this zine and this is a review of their 2008 comeback album "Antikosmos" which was released by Moribund Records under exclusive pact with Debemur Morti Productions.

Drums range from slow to midpaced parts mixed in with some very brutal blast beats, while the bass playing is mixed down low on the mix and seems to follow the riffs coming out of the guitars, however they fixed the problem on their new album, and on some songs there are effects that remind me of noise music.

Rythym guitars are mostly fast, raw and primal black metal riffing with some melody as well as some palm muting that gives the music a thrash feel and some slow parts that have a depressing and a doomy feel to them, and unlike the new album there are little or no guitar leads except for a few songs and they have a slow and melodic feel to them mixed in with a weird distorted sound.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams that standout and cannot be compared to anybody else with some spoken word ritualistic parts, while the lyrics which are written in Swedish as well as old Icelandic, are about Satanic, Ghaos Gnosticism as well as Loki worship and the darkside of the runes, as for the production on this album which was recorded and mixed by Tomas Skogsberg in Sunlight Studio from the 18th to the 25th of Febuary 2008 with the production being handled by Shamaatae sounds very raw and primal with a professional feel.

In my opinion this was a good comeback album for Arckanum and while I cannot tell if I like this one or the new one better, this is still a really great album and fans of Arckanum would not be disapointed.

1. Can you update us with what is going on with N.I.L these days?Right now we're sort of in flux. The vinyl for the first record has been scrapped and we're trying to shop that and our new 3 song ep around. With how peoples situation worldwide with money and the impact it's having on the record industry even down to the underground makes such things pretty difficult. We'll be working on writing new songs fairly soon since my schedule has cleared up enough that time can be properly dedicated to it.

2. What is the meaning behind the band's name?Absolute nothingness. Lack of the self.

3. What are some of the best shows that you have played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?Thus far we've only done one show, with Profanatica, Woe, Father Befouled and Witch Tomb plus some other bands in 2008. We did it as a two piece and techically it was a fucking mess. The sound was atrocious and I personally played very badly. We had another show lined up this time as a four piece last year with some experimental and power electronics projects but because of severe weather we couldn't make it. The only memorable thing from the first show was the amount of fights that occurred and some melodramatic asshole at the end of the night. Nil live should be in the right enivironment and we've taken that into consideration for any future performances.

4. Are there any plans for an extended U.S tour, or European tour?Marcheski cannot devote time to more than one or two shows due to his job so such things are totally out of the question. It's not impossible that I would play a Nil song during a Krieg show eventually.

5. I remember in 2007 you put out an album on Southern lord Records, which I bought back then, and according to your page you are currently unsigned, what happened with your old label and what kind of label are you looking for these days?We were signed to Battle Kommand Records with US distribution exclusivly through Southern Lord whom, depending on sales, were going to do the album on vinyl as well. Though Greg Anderson is a strong supporter of our music we doubt that he'll be releasing the vinyl. Right now we're looking for a label to release our 3 song mcd and perhaps another full length if that goes well. Our needs aren't very extensive, just some money to help fund the recording and someone to believe in the music enough to promote it properly.

6. When can we expect new material?Hopefully the mcd will surface by the end of the year. I will be working on sending promos out within the next few weeks. Then we'll either do another full length or perhaps a 7 inch. The material on the mcd is years old as far as writing so I'm curious to see how we'll progress from there since neither of us has stopped learning new things about equipment, sound and such

7. How would you describe the musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the band heading into on future releases?It went from me working out Strid/Silexater worship riffs in the flat of Krieg's german bassist in 04 and thinking of using a drum machine or session members to a fully thought out expression when we finally recorded. Since we haven't written any new material since late 2008 I don't know what we'll sound like now.

8. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?Free flowing stream of consciousness. Metaphors for personal experiences and truths.

9. What was the cause of Twilight and March Inot Sea breaking up, and what is going on with Krieg and Nachtmystium these days, also do you have any other projects going on?Twilight ceased due to some legal and personal bullshit that's not worth going into. We reformed last year and recorded a new full length which will be released in April on Southern Lord. March disbanded because of cliche reasons and I highly doubt anyone cares. Krieg just recorded our debut for Candlelight Records titled "The Isolationist" and a split with Gravecode Nebula, both will be out in the summer. I'm also invovled in The Royal Arch Blaspheme with John Gelso from Profanatica and our s/t CD/LP will be released in the spring through Hell's Headbangers. I havent been involved in Nachtmystium in four years or so but they also just finished their new record and it will be a big surprise for many people I think.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?Lots of different music from black metal to power electronics, old punk,shoegaze, no wave, postpunk, death metal, crust, doom etc. Recently I've been listening to Woe's first album, Beherit's genius comeback "Engram", a lot of Rudimentary Peni and two noise projects that deserve recognition: Dead Times and Sewer Goddess.

11. I know that you have toured Europe with some of the bands you have been in, how would you compare the black metallers out there to the ones in America?I haven't done a show in Europe in five years so I can't say how it is now but we were almost always treated very well and with few exceptions the crowds were very violent and had great energy. American crowds these days vary from place to place, some great, some boring. As with anywhere you'll still have the fashion show of people going to gigs to show off their new rare shirt or to be a drunken twat. I've met great people from all over the world and at least one asshole in every city.

12. I know you have had some interest in philosophers but have you ever had an interest in Satanism or Occultism?Only when I was much younger. While I do believe in the dark forces that are in nature and the cosmos I'm more fascinated by the shadows that dwell in man. Though I will say if you are interested in non theatrical Satanism "The Devil's Bible" published by Severed Head Press is worth seeking out as it's author is sincere and passionate.

13. Which philosophers had the most impact on your music or life?The ones who will never be published or acknowledged. Also Bertrand Rusell, Sartre, Camus and a lot of the free thinkers of the early 20th century are providing me with a lot of great perspective though I cannot claim to be extremely well versed with them.

14. How has your music been recieved so far by black metal fans worldwide?Varies from band to band, album to album, place to place. Some people either think what I'm doing has significance, others just enjoy the music and a lot of people just think I'm a fat pompous asshole

15. How would you describe the metal scene in New Jersey?5-10 years ago it was much stronger. Nowadays I don't really go to very many shows. Immolith is probably the only active band from New Jersey I have contact with as far as black metal. Craig Pillard also always has some sort of interesting project going on. Beyond that there's really nothing I can think of.

16. What are some of your interests outside of music?Reading/writing, film, bourbon, fetishism, and the unhealthy habit of cigarettes. My reading consists of going back and forth between challenging authors and easier to digest books on musical movements. I have a great deal of interest in mental illness and sexual deviance as well.

Arckanum are a band from Sweden that has been around since this 90's which I would describe as Anti Cosmic Chaos Gnostic black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album which was released by Moribund Records under exclusive pact with Debemur Morti Productions.

Drums range from slow to midpaced parts to some very fast blast beats, while the bass playing sounds very dark with some lead bass and you can actually hear the instrument on some of the songs that are presented on this album.

Rythym guitars are very fast, raw and primal black metal riffs that contain some melody and on some songs there are palm muted riffs that seem to be heavily thrash influenced as well as some slower riffs that have a depressive feeling to them, while the lead guitars are very melodic with some of the slower leads containing a distorted feel and the guitar solos have a very professional sound.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal scrams that have a style of their own as well as some spoken word ritualistic parts while the lyrics which are written in Swedish as well as old Icelasandic probably cover true Satanic themes as well as Norse religion in the form of Loki worship and Chaos Gnosticism and the songwriter also writes books that are published on IAXXAR, as for the production on this album it sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments, while keeping the raw black metal feel.

In my opinion this is avery very good album and if you are a fan of Arckanum you will not be disapointed.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Watain are a band from Sweden that plays a raw yet melodic form of true satanic black metal and this is a review of their second album which was originally released in 2003 by a different label and re-issued by Season Of Mist in the year of 2008 "Casus Luciferi".

Drums use a mixture of slow to midpaced rythyms and then they turn into some very brutal blast beats, while the bass playing has a dark tone and follows the riffs coming out of the guitars with some lead bass and you can actually hear it on parts of this recording.

Rythym guitars are very raw and primitive with alot of fast black metal riffs that utilize a very dark sounding melody and on some songs to slow down to almost a doomy pace without being doom metal but still having a dark and depressing sound, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding without using that many guitar solos but when they are used they are very fast bringing alot of chaos into the music.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls on the bonus track while the lyrics cover a gnostic/cabalistic style of Satan Worship as well as Luciferian philosophies that are very ritualistic and anti judeo christian with some contributions by members of the bands Funeral Mist, Antaeus and Katharsis, as for the production it sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments but it still retains the raw black metal feel.

In my opinion this was a very good album from Watain and it is a shame I could not find this album anywhere when it came out but thinks to Season Of Mist, I finally got to hear and add this masterpiece to my music collection.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE "Opus Dei(THE Morbid Angel)" "Puzzles Of Flesh" "from The Pulpits Of Abomination" and "Waitan" which is a cover of an old VON song and a bonus track on this re-issue. RECOMMENDED BUY

This is a split album between Marks Of The Masochist who have members from both Colorado and Virginia, while Enecare who is a one man project hailing from Ireland and we will start this review by reviewing Marks Of the Masochist first which I would describe as depressive black metal.

Drums are slow on some songs and then they turn into some brutal blast beats when the music speed's up, while the bass playing sounds very powerful with alot of emotion and you can actually hear it on the recording, as for the synth which was only at the end of the last song it has a very dark avant garde ambient feel.

Rythym guitars are mostly slow to midpaced raw black metal riffs with some fast parts while the guitar leads are very melodic in a more suicidal underground way and it brings a ver haunting sound to the music and there is an ocassional acoustic guitar parts that utilizes alot of fingerpicking.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams that sound like the singer is cutting himself and is in alot of pain, while the lyrics deal mostly with pain, hate and depression, as for the production it sounds very dark and raw.

In my opinion Marks Of The Mascochist are a very good band and fans of depressive black metal will not be disapointed with their songs on this split.

STANDOUT TRACKS from Marks Of The Masochist include "BurnOut My Eyes Burn Out My Tongue" "Rampant And Miserable" and "Confused Ramblings Of The Divine".

Now here is a review of the second band on the slit. Enecare play a form of hateful, raw, and satanic black metal and are probably the heaviest band on the split.

Drums are mostly slow with some blast beats on the faster songs, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mix and follows the riffs coming out of the guitars.

Rythym guitars are very raw depressive slow to midpaced black metal riffs that contain some melody as well as alo of distortion and feedback with some very fast riffing on some songs and there is not much in the way of lead guitars or guitar solos.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metall screams with some deeper screams on one song with only a minor amount of growls, while the lyrics coversome satanic topics as well as alot of hatred and depression, as for the production it is very dark and raw in true black metal style and ther was a couple of technical problems on a couple of songs.

In my opinion Enecare are a very good band and while they might not be as talented as Marks Of The Masochist they make it up by being heavier, I see this band appealing to fans of dsbm and ambient black metal

STANDOUT tracks from Enecare inlude "Gospel of Disease" "As Voice Lies Torture" "Thy Reign Descend" which is a Perversion cover "Devouring The Moon" and "The Sword That Splits The Sky". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Krallice are a band from New York which I would describe as ambient black metal and this is a review of their 2008 self tiled album which was released by Profound Lore Records.

Drums are very fast with alot of blast beats, while the bass playing utilizes a very dark tone that adds to the heaviness that is coming out of the music and you can really hear how powerful the bass is on the 3rd song, as for the keyboards when they are utilized they sound very dark and have an ambient feel.

Rythym guitars are mostly fast black metal riffs that also have influences from death metal, thrash and avant garde metal mixed in with a good amount of distortion as well as feedback that is influenced by noise music, while the guitar leads are very noisy as well as melodic and there are alot of guitar solos that sound real talented and they are worthy of praise in Guitar World if they would pay attention to black metal.

Vocals are a mixture of yelling and high pitched black metal screams and some ocassional death metal growls, while the lyrics touch on forgottn wisdom and some nature/science type of themes, while the production on this recording with was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Menegroth, the Thousand Caves by Colin Matson during the 2nd and 3rd month of MMVIII sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments that are presented on this album.

In my opinion this is a good album and Krallice add alot of originality to the black metal genre and I am looking forward to what they accomplish with their future material, you should also check out their live show I was exposed to this band last year when I saw them open up for Wolves In The Throne Room and I also bought this cd at that show as well.

Celestial Bloodshed are a band from Norway whose singer was shot to death a few months after this album was released, which I would describe as raw hateful black metal and this is a review of their 2008 album "Cursed, Sorrow and Forever Possessed" which was released by Moribund Records under exclusive pact with Debemur Morti Productions.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of blast beats and some slow parts which where used on one song, while the bass playing is kind of hard to hear and the parts I heard seem to follow the riffs coming out of the guitars, as for the synths when they are utilized which is very rare since this is a fast black metal sound very ritualistic and satanic.

Rythym guitars are a mixture of slow depressive riffs in some parts and fast black metal riffing that uses alot of tremolo picking in most parts while the lead guitars have a noisy tone that utilizes some melody and not much in the way of guitar solos.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams mixed with some blackened death metal growls, while the lyrics not on hatred as well as some anti christian/satanic themes, as for the production on this album which was recorded and mixed during MMVII in Brugga Studios by Celestial Bloodshed and A. Delen as well as being mastered by T Stierna(R.I.P) sounds somewhat professional without losing the raw black metal feel.

In My opinion this is a really good album and Celestial Bloodshed are a great band, this is probably not the best black metal album recorded but it is still good and worth buying. Fans of raw satanic black metal will not be dissapointed.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE "Sign OF The Zodiac" "All Praise To Thee" and "Gospel Of Hate". RECOMMENDED BUY

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard you before?

A communion of four astral currents made manifest in Olam ha-Assiah in order to channel the most untamed and obscure energies known to man, angel, demon and god. A force of pure Havoc mediated through the glorious art called Death and Black Metal. A church built upon the foundation of knowledge, mystery and devotion. A coven of madness and perversion established to inspire those worthy and curse all false prophets with vilest of death. A TEMPLE raised from BELOW.

2. How would you describe your music?

Mortuary drape once described their art as “The actual satanic black mass put to music”. We humbly wish that some day we also can say the exact same thing of ours.

3. What is the meaning behind the band name?

See question #1.

4. Have you had the oppurtunity to do any live shows, and if so how would you describe your live performance?

No.

5. What direction do you see the band going into on future releases?

Deeper, ever deeper, until the Darkness of the Abyss even swallow the conscious mind so much that it no longer can express Any-thing.

6. How has the reception been so far to your music so far by black/death metal fans worldwide?

Personally I haven’t heard that much about it yet. Praises came from some of the members of the almighty cult of Blasphemy and that I think is enough for us to feel like we have done something worthy.

7.How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?

Ritualistic formulae. Mostly we summarise great workings with specific currents before writing lyrics, thus deepening our minds enough in the nature of it to the degree that it speaks through us directly. All other kind of poetry/prose/lyrics used in the holy art of Black Metal is mere profane egoism. This is mostly why the words may seem quite “minimalistic” on the surface; they are nothing but a concentrated flow of something so extremely abstract and subtle that the only way for the human mind to express them is through the most barbaric of dialectics. But don’t be fooled, many of them consists of lofty secrets that are accessible only to the initiated. The usual black metal fan will probably not see any difference between ours and, let’s say, Venom’s lyrics anyway. Although their lyrics obviously where inspiring and excellent, they lacked what ours are founded on: Direct personal experience and complete conviction.

8.What are some bands or music styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?

Although we spit bile and excrement in the face of the majority of the “extreme” metal acts of all time, we proudly see ourselves as heralds and partakers of what we define as an occult/genuinely satanic tradition that has existed within this type of music since its very beginning. Bands such as Mortuary Drape, Mystifier, Beherit, Blasphemy, Samael, Varathron and so on are obviously some of those I can mention. I think all members of the Temple have different ways to enforce specific emotions through the medium of music, but we all share the understanding that true Black and Death metal (be it “The Return…”, “Formulas fatal to the flesh” or “Mystérion tés Anomias”) really can inspire the darkest of ecstatic states.

9. Where do you draw your stanic or occult inspirations from, I see that you have Iaxxar in your top friends?

Books are useful as much as they work like signposts or maps made by other individuals. But maps are nothing but descriptions of actual sights for you to explore yourself. None can ever experience true gnosis by reading or even through rational thought alone. As I said earlier, wouldn’t we be but mere writers of bad fiction or even liars if we where to write or preach about acts and entities we haven’t experienced and convinced existed (through unmediated empiric knowing)? BUT – we of course encourage everyone to study all the great sciences of black magic, theurgy, theology, theosophy, alchemy, spiritism, hermetica, mysticism, necromancy, tantra and satanic yoga in depth. That and listening to the “Plague mass” LP, “Satanic blood” demo and the “Impending doom” Ep will be enough for anyone to find inspiration for thousand lifetimes.

10. How would you describe the metal scene in your home country of Chile?

All hails to Force of Darkness, Chainsaw/Communion, Slaughtbbath for their savage occult prophecy as well as the pioneers like Atomic aggressor, Pentagram and Totten Korps for inspiration.

11. What are some goals that you have set out for yourself to accomplish with your music and message?

To inspire other devoted sages and left-hand hermetics within this cult, in their works. To deepen the obscure vaults of Black/Death metal so that the darkness of the underground shines like the orb of Sorath itself. To violate this vulgar understanding that our art is but a form of entertainment and that it doesn’t have to be born from minds that seek the destruction of All life. And of course: To manifest our beloved black gods that exists within, without and beyond us.

Remember that the four powers of the Sphinx are to Know, to Will, to Dare and to Keep Silent. For those that really understand the meaning of the last one mentioned, know that what has been explained here are but mere images in the smoke raised from our altar fires. And we wish all those who truly possess these four qualities to search our work out, we will invite you as a brother in our communion of enlightening Darkness and revivifying Death. But for those that stand upon a foundation of falsehood, ego and disguised love for the world: Let him be damned and devoured by the black wrath of Belial! For above the doors to our Temple these words are written “Procul este, profane!”

By these words do we seal this unveiling of our blood drenched shrines:

1. Can you update us on what is going on with Striborg these days?
I have released not too long ago a split CD with Claustrophobia from China on my own label ltd 500 copies.
Other new releases have been the Defuntos/Striborg 7” and the “Southwest Passage” album as well as a very limited 3LP box set entitled “Roaming the misanthropic forests” containing an A2 poster and T-shirt.
Claustrophobia is one of my favourite bands at the moment.
I have just completed recording of a track for a split with Drakonhail from France who are amazing!
This is to be released as a limited edition LP via D.U.K.E. in France and CD via Asgard musik in Tasmania.
Now I am spending time composing/recording and then releasing my new album “This Suffocating Existence”.
Then the rest of the year I will be very busy working on split releases with: Leichenstatte/Fornicatus/Original sin, Tundra, Belzebuth (Outstanding BM band from mainland Australia!) & Moloch.
I have just finished filming for a 3-part documentary on one-man black metal bands: Xasthur/Leviathan/Striborg.
This will be watch able on VBS TV, film festival, and theatres and subsequently on DVD later.
This has captured the “creative process” of the artists as well as “Opening them up”.
I’m sure there will be some mixed reactions from the fans and critics!

2. I know the name Striborg comes from Slavic Mythology and your name Sin Naana comes from the Necronomicon what is your interest in both of these areas?
2.I have no interest in these areas; these names were taken from an uncomprehensive book on old gods and demons.
Given the chance I would rename especially the band name.
I changed my band name and pseudonym in 1997 to this.
The name Sin-nanna has really become something personal now though, the Babylonian god of the moon.
Striborg is the Slavonic god of winter and at the time I thought this to be a perfect symbiosis of both their meanings and their representation of the new direction I was approaching.
Of course many new directions have occurred now so the names are not so fitting.

3. I know that you have played in other bands as well, do you have any current projects, if so , who are thy and what styles of music do they play?
3.I am currently not performing in any other projects at the moment.

5. How would you describe the musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
5.Striborg has slowed down a lot over the years but has been depressive for a long time now.
I think the future will solid ate what I have and am currently performing: slow and ghostly depressive ambient black metal.

6. How would you compare being solo to working with other people in bands?
6.Bliss…although the recording process is very stressful, but at least other people does not impair my artistic vision.
Performing with other members sometimes creates a perfect symbiosis and can create a kind of magic, that “buzz” you get when everything is well rehearsed and tight.

7. What are some of the bands or music styles that inspired you to become a musician?
7.Well that would be going back to the mid/late eighties.
I was only a drummer back then for a death/black/doom metal band.
Drummers who inspired me were “Reed St. Mark” of CELTIC FROST, “Witchhunter” of SODOM, “Jan Lindh” of CANDLEMASS & “Mitch Harris” of NAPALM DEATH.
Later “Fenris” of DARKTHRONE and “Nick Mason” of PINK FLOYD.
However in the early nineties bands who inspired Kathaaria (as it was named back then) were: DARKTHRONE, GORGOROTH, BATHORY, BURZUM & BEHEMOTH.
Later, ILDARN & DARKNESS ENSHROUD.
By the turn of the millennium I was more inspired my slower and depressive black metal bands such as MANES & STRID.
Later, I SHALT BECOME & SHINING.
However I like to think that from say 2003 onwards I am not really inspired by another bands so directly anymore with the exception of XASTHUR who which I thought was similar to my own works in the first place.
Striborg has become unique and original with the only influencing albums being the proceeding album that I have recorded.

8. What are some bands or music styles that you are listening to nowadays?
8.Forget mentioning BM bands! I listen to a lot of Ambient BM & DSBM as well as other styles of music such as brutal Death Metal ala Mortician & Carnivorous Vagina etc… a lot of Ambient & Industrial music too.
Pure Black Ambient stuff like: (old) Claustrophobia, Enemite & IHVHLXXII.
Dark wave and gothic stuff like: Joy Division, Lycia, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees & The Cure etc…
Old electronic gods like: Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire & Tangerine Dream.
Also some psychedelic folk & pop/rock music from the 60’s & 70’s like: Third Ear Band, The Pentangle, Forest, Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett, Audience & Jethro Tull etc…

9. Does Occultism or paganism play any role in the music?
9.No not really, only stuff that fascinates me like anything to do with the Paranormal/Supernatural: Ghosts, Kirlian Photography, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Astral Travel, Psychic abilities, Residual energy, Orbs, mists and light anomalies etc…

10. What are some other interests that you have outside of music?
10.I have a huge interest in the Paranormal as stated in the previous answer, I am always reading fact and fiction on the subject as well as watching documentaries like “Most Haunted”.
I am a massive fan of Horror movies: Asian horror films, Classic ghost stories, Silent horror films, Hammer/Amicus horror, Euro horror, Giallos, Erotic Vampire films ala Jess Franco & Jean Rollin, Video nasties, Zombie & Cannibal flicks, extreme gore.
Pretty much everything when it comes to horror movies.
Having said that, David Lynch’s series “Twin Peak” or any of his feature films are more important to me than any horror movie.
In my daily life I run an Ebay store simply called FINSTERNIS PRODUCTIONS and go for a run in the forest a couple of times a week as well as wandering through the wilderness.

11. How has the feedback been so far to Striborg's musical style?
11.Like it has always been, a love it or hate it affair…

12. Any final words or thoughts of wisdom?
12.Not really, just to say: try and keep contact with (sub) humans to a bear minimum and then life may be halfway bearable to exist…

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Keep Of Kalwssin are a band from Norway that has been around since the 90's and started out as pure black metal in the Norwegian vein but have evolved into more of a mixture of black, death, and thrash with recent recordings and this is a review of their 2008 album "Kolossus" which was released by Nuclear Blast Records in the United States and Indie Recordings in Norway.

Drums on this recording range from slow technical parts to some fast blast beats that utilize influences from the many different genres of metal, while the bass playing is all rythym bass and follows the riffs coming out of the guitars and on one of the songs I could hear a violinas well as a piano.

Rythym guitars contain alot of melody and there is a mixture of fast and slow riffs that mix thrash with black metal and some classic metal, while the lead guitars use alot of melodic guitar solos that have classic metal influences, as for the acoustic guitars when they are used they sound very dark and utilize alot of full chords and there is an occasional use of a classic guitar being used with some middle eastern scales that are finger picked.

Vocals have a thrash influenced black metal feel with some deep death metal growling and at times they are clean singing vocals being utilized that have some power/speed metal influences, while the production on this recording which was recorded at Morningstar Studio during Nov 07 through Jan 2008 sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments that are on this album.

Lyrics are mostly sci fi and fantasy topics with referenced to fictional gods, while the artwork on the album is a blade that kind of looks like a cros between a snake or a dragon.

In my opinion this is a good album and while at times it has some of the modern elements that I dont like that much in newer metal there are still enough classic metal influences to keep me interest, if you are a fan of their earlier stuff which was alot more black metal you will be dissapointed and call this band sellouts, but if you are an open minded gan of extreme metal you will enjoy this opinion.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE "The Rising SUn" "Warmonger" "The Mark Of Power" and "Ascendent", in addition my cd came with a bonus dvd. RECOMMENDED

Blood Stained Dusk are a band from the Southern state of Alabama that has been around since the mid 90's and are one of the best known bands in the United States black metal scene which I would describe as dark satanic, occultic atmospheric black metal and this is a review of their 2008 album "Black Faith Inquisition' which was released by Moribund Records during the year of 2008.

Drums range from being very slow to some fast and brutal blast beats, while the bass playing is all rythym bass, as for the keyboards they sound very dark, symphonic and atmospheric with the feeling of an epic movie soundtrack with a very ritualistic sound.

Rythym guitars sound very melodic with some fast black metal riffs while the lead guitars have alot of melody as well as feeling in the guitar solos,

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some clean vocals that sound very operatic as well as avant garde sounding and at times there are spoken word parts thatt call up the dark lord as well as the occasional deep death metal growl.

Production on this album which was produced , mixed and engineered as well as mastered by Lance Waight and Blood Stained Dusk under a full moon during Sept 2008 sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments being presented on this album.

Lyrics on this album cover some Necronomicon, Summerian, Satanic and Anti Christian topics that seem to be well written by someone who is eduacted in the knowledge of the black arts, while the artwork on the cover has a Satanic Priest with serpents as arms in front of a gothic looking cathedral with the band logo on the top looks very professional and the artwork is very detailed.

In my opinion this is a very good album and while it is more symphonic than their earlier material this album is still a masterpiece and prove on why Blood Stained Dusk are one of the leading back metal bands in North America. If you are a fan of atmospheric satanic black metal you will not be dissapointed.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE "Coven Of The Dying Sun" "Eve Of Maelstrom" and "Ashes From A Burning Heaven". RECOMMENDED BUY

Merrimack are a band from France who has also been interviewed by this zine that has been around for almost 15 years which I would describe as raw religious occultic black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Grey Rigorism" which was released by Moribund Records during the year of 2009.

Drums are slow at times and then they got very fast with alot of blast beats, while the bass playing which is mixed down low in the mix follows the riffs coming out of the guitars but on one of the songs they become a lead instrument, while some songs also include ambient noise samples as well as a synth on the last song.

Rythym guitars use alot of variety with some slow, doomy to mid paced thrash influenced riffing that sounds very dark and distorted as well as melodic mixed with some fast black metal riffs, and there are little to no lead guitars on this recording but when they are utikized they sound very melodic.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams mixed in with some distortion and some spoken word parts in French and on the last song there is a female begging the lord for mercy, while the production of the album which was recorded, mixed and mastered in May 2009 at Necromorbus Studio by Tore Stjerna sounds very professional for this style of black metal and you can hear all of the musical instruments, as for the lyrics praise a dark sinister devil with some cabbalistic occultism as well as an anti white light message.

In my opinion this is a good album from Merrimack and while I prefer their older material, I also understand that a band needs to progress with each album and this recording is still very good. If you are a fan of well played occultic black metal you will not be dissapointed with this album.

Bleeding Fist are a band from Slovenia that plays a form of war metal which mixes the fastest and heaviest forms of black, death, and thrash metal together and this is a review of their 2009 album "Bestial Kruzifix666ion".

Drums on this recording are very fast and brutal with alot of blast beats, while the bass guitar follows the riffs coming out of the guitars.

Rythym guitars are very raw sounding with some fast riffs that mix black metal and 80's underground Brazilian metal together in a more modern way with some ocassional slow riffs but not that much while the lead guitars are very noisy and chaotic with some slow melodic solos that utilize a middle eastern scale on one song.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal growls mixed with some deathvomit style growls, while the production which was recorded in Studio Panorama on 20/12/08 entirely in 8 hours with the production done by Marko Gigon and Bleeding Fist is very raw sounding and I have not seen an album recorded that fast in 20 years.

Lyrics on this album cover a variety of topics such as pain, Rituals, Occultism, Black Magick,Anti Christian, Left Hand Path and all out Chaos, while the cover which was done by Sickness666 contains the band's logos that also has a pentagram with a pig's head in it, and some of the other parts remind of a Revenge (Can) cover, looks very professional and it makes it an extra bonus to buy an album that has a kick ass cover as well as music.

In my opinion this is a good album and this isprobably one of the most underground sounding albums that I have ever heard On Moribund Records. If you are a fan war/black/death/thrash metal you will not be disapointed when you purchase this album.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE "Spirit, Dust And Magic" "Celebration Of The Third" "BLack Magic Book" and "MOrphengenesis Of The Holcaust". RECOMMENDED BUY.

1.Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard you before?

C. Conjurer: Morbid insulter started out in 2004. Released the demo “Strike from the grave” in 2005, and the promo/demo “From the Womb of Pestilence - Second Strike” in 2006. A pact was made with I Hate Records and an MLP entitled “Thundering Evil” was unleashed in 2008. A new Ep called “Antichrist Blasphemies” is now recorded and will be released quite soon on I Hate once again. The line-up is the following:

C: A mockery and curse upon all universal life. An endless hatred that knows no limits what so ever, puking enchantments of utter Death upon all gods of man.

4. Have you had the oppurtunity to do any live shows yet, if so how would you describe your live performance?

C: They are blood-drenched rituals of debauchery and perversion. Specific black magical/necromantic rites are performed to enforce the unearthly vibrations and to make the madness from beyond more present. We thus become the living pulse for the Black gods themselves, channelling their disorder and destruction upon those who are strong or stupid enough to attend. You should expect decomposed carrions, blood, spikes, tombstones, self-mutilation, violence and all types of black spiritual excess on stage.

5. What releases have you put out so far?

C: I already answered this in the first question.

6. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what directiondo you see the band heading into on future releases?

C: I would say that the band more begun like a death/thrash metal band in the vein of old Sepultura, Slayer and Morbid Angel. I think we these days have found a more dynamic and personal sound, drawing inspiration from various types of music. The “melodic” parts that have started to appear more and more throughout the recordings can maybe be seen as the most obvious change in musical direction. I wouldn’t say anything has happened in a pure ideological sense, but only things have become more intense and extreme in every possible way over the years. A healthy dose of criminality, drug-abuse, death worship, hate for Everything, perversion, satanic rituals, profound occult studies/practice and violence will do that to most people I suppose.

7. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?

C: I guess they all contain what we all know is what Death/Black metal should be about, namely Devilworship, demonic evocation, necromancy, atomic genocide, perverted lusts, grave desecration, aeonic black sorcery and so on. Nothing special really, except they mostly are very personal and actually portray actual events we have been apart of.

8. I have seen some of your music videos which have some really bizare stuff in them, where do you come up with the ideas for your musical videos?

C: I was not personally involved in making any of the videos, so I can’t really speak for them. But I know that they are mostly spawned from the twisted minds of the other members’ fascination of the dead, necrophilia and grave desecration. The scenes of a desecration of some tombs in one of the videos are of course real.

9. What are some band or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?

C: I think we all listen to a lot of different music these days and much that hardly can be defined as metal music. But when it comes to Morbid Insulter I suppose the bands I have named above are some of those we all recognise our main source of inspiration and always return to. I might also mention some more “recent” acts such as Force of Darkness, Funeral mist, Negative plane, Deströyer 666, Necros Christos and Anal Vomit as bands that might have influenced us in some way or another.

10. Where do you draw most of your occult or satanic views from and what authors,occultists, or orders have influenced your views?

C: I can only speak for myself on this point, but I personally shape my views from my daily and nightly interaction with diabolical currents and entities, through ritual, mediation and indeed my whole existence. All doctrines are useless if you truly want to evolve beyond all laws and mundane restrictions. Morbid Insulter for me stands as the total violation of all human, earthly and spiritual laws and morals. We worship Death and Darkness and perform the most abominable rites of infernal witchery to reach our goals. I wish not to name any specific authors, orders or books as our knowledge is drawn from all types of directions, but instead encourage the reader to find them out himself. He who seeketh findeth.

11. How has the reception been to your music so far from extreme metal fans worldwide?

C: Over all I think that it has mostly been positive. Although many might have misunderstood a lot of what we actually do, both musically and ideologically, I can’t really complain. But I would like to see more offers for interviews and live-rituals. So I might take the opportunity to say that we always are in search for serious organisers of gigs. If interested get in touch through the address below.

C: Beware of our upcoming MLP called “Antichrist Blasphemies” that should be out pretty soon on I Hate records. For now we also have two new shirts available. Write to Black filth productions at rawblacknoise@yahoo.com or Morbid Jehovah records: Piotr Wizer - Woj. Polskiego 58A/G - 67-100 Nowa Sdc – POLAND. You might also contact the band directly through morbidinsulter@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/morbidinsulter for orders and more information.

Monday, February 15, 2010

1. Can you update us on what is going on with the band these days?The band is currently going through about 20 songs and deciding what to keep, what to discard. Originally we planned to put out a full length through a cult underground label but due to whining and general lagging it looks likely we will do a split release or two with bands we share musical/idealogical common ground with.

2. I remember in the early days you refered the band as Demonic Winter Metal but these days the band id now known as Criminal Black Metal, how would you describe the differences between both labels?

That was not a moniker I came up with just something last minute that we now regret using. The whole record was rushed and should have never been released until we were ready. Maybe we will re-record some of the songs with proper vocals and recording. Criminal Black Metal refers to the criminal activities of the early 90's Black Metal scene. Anyone who has a problem with it should not listen to this genre of music as Black Metal holds no boundaries and there is so separation between who we are on and off stage.

3. I know that one of the band members has spent a year in jail for church desecration, have you ever had to do with wanna be black metalers thinking that you are crazy for doing this herioc deed?I have encountered some who think it was stupid and pointless but they have never read a fanzine and likely entered the scene when it became normal and stupid as Death Metal became in the mid nineties. The building was ugly anyway with no architectual quality and looked much better after the painting!

4. Do you have any touring plans for the future?If the demand is there and we can secure a full line-up perhaps. Unfortuanetly most in L.A are lazy and time wasters. It won't be a normal gig and I would like to have a Hate Group open the show perhaps some militant Muslims who would set off a bomb and kill the lowlifes who make up the audience.

5. Out off all the albums that you have recorded so far, which one are you the most satisfied with?First and third. Second record sucks due to the problems I mentioned before. This is actually a problem most labels are having with new material thinking we will sound exactly as 15 years ago. A band as old as ours should be searching for new depths of Hell not giving the people exactly what they want as many do.

6. I know from reading bulletons and other interviews that you have alot of hatred for alot of the black metal fans in your hometown of Los Angeles, what is the cause for that hatred?They are either White Trash racist types with little intelligence or Latino drug users who dont shower. They were pendants of ancient symbols they know nothing about and talk in ghetto slang and would never fistfight if confronted violently. They bring there stupid girlfriends and dress them in Black Metal fashion and do cocaine in the restrooms and piss on the ground.

7. I remember seeing that you had some plans to do some type of 70's film similar to Taxi Driver and other movies of that ilk, how would you describe your interest in that kind of thing?I would like to make a film about a homeless cannibal living in the slums of Los Angeles. I had a subplot about a lowlife pimp who finds one of his female victims and starts a prostitution ring. Think of it as Henry Portrait Of A Serial Killer meets Street Trash. Paris Hilton could play the dead girl.

8. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?More fucked up and urban. More influences from genres outside of Metal possibly Deathrock and early Industrial Noise. Think Coil, Christian Death members covering Burzum.

9. How has the reception been so far to your music from black metal fans worldwide?Pretty good, just the labels have been stupid and cheap as always. I may self release and give to the true fans if they commit an illegal act and offer proof. No stupid drug usage or petty theft. Something to show their dedication to the true Criminal Black Metal scene. Maybe they can disrupt a townhall meeting of president Obama the Marxist New World Order puppet.10. You have a history in U.S black metal that goes as far back as the early 90's where do you feel you stand in the American black metal scene and what kind of influence do you feel you have on other bands in this country?I dont stand anywhere, I mostly sit and watch the downward spiral of the scene I gave one year of my freedom for. I do have fans writing that seem to appreciate my rants and outlook on things and that gives me hope for the future.

11. Now that we are in a new decade what direction do you see black metal heading into during the next couple of years?I see it dying unless it can become a political/anti-religious movement with clear idealogical goals, organized recruitment of members and quality new acts.

12. What are some bands or music styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?I listen to old stuff from the 80's/90's. Tangerine Dream, Godflesh, Burzum, Beherit, Sisters Of Mercy, and Skinny Puppy are my favorites. New bands are Xasthur, Brown Jenkins, Wigrid, and Drudkh.

13. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?Annihilate your templeReturn To ashesRecieve communionRepent nothing, omit self-preservation.

14. This might be a funny question, what are your views on the dumb ass christians being ignorant and saying the earthquake in Haiti was caused by devil worshippers when in fact that country is more of a Catholic and Voodoo country?Haiti is cursed by a corrupt government and an out of control birthrate. I could care less about them until they show a willingness to pay back debt and become independent. The bible says the Jews will be in mourning until the day of rapture. Perhaps they are the true Jews and not the Ashkenazi Jews who make up 80 percent of Jews worldwide

15. Where do you draw your left hand path views from and what are some occultists, authors or organizations that have influenced your viewpoint?Both Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path can be followed by a magical practitioner, as essentially they have the same goals. LHP philosophies include Luciferianism, Setianism, Thelema, Chaos Magic and magicians who deal in demonology. Don Webb and Michael Aquino have written some interesting books as well as Michael W. Ford.

16. I remember looking on your blogs and seeing one on the Qlipoth, what is that that interests you about the darker side of the Caballa?Qlipoth can be interpreted as mystical worlds or entities merged with ideas derived from demonology.

17. Out off all the record labels that you have released stuff on so far, which one do you feel did the most to promote your music worldwide?Wild Rags was the only so far to release our music and did okay job in my opinion.Some feel him to be a rip-off but I can assure you labels these days are a hell of alot worse and offer laughable contracts. They are followers of Zalambur, a demon who presides over dishonest and fraudulent business transactions.

18. Do you feel that your biggest fan base is in your home state or do you feel that your music is better recieved in other states or Countries?L.A is a disgusting vile pigpen. The L.A riots were the best thing to happen to it in my mind, but I have gotten used to it, and made it work as best I can. Fans generally dont beling to a specific region and I hail all who support my music regardless of where they reside.

19. What are some of your interests outside of music?I like muscle cars mainly VR4, 300 ZX Twin Turbo and the new Dodge Challenger interest me. I like reptiles, fish, and most non loud animals. I enjoy roller coasters, sex, and UFC fighting. I like to engage in bar fights from time to time and have been kicked out of most of the dive bars in the L.A area. I also enjoy conservative talk radio hosts like Michael Savage and Alex Jones.

20. Any final words or thoughts?Thanks for giving me a forum to spread my views. Look for new Ritual material in the form of split releases to come out shortly. Any labels interested in a re-release get in touch and please dont waste my time.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

-The band is now more active than ever. The release of our fifth album, ”The Great Fleet of Echoes” is just one week away, and we have been extremely busy with all the promotional stuff. In addition we have a new synth player for the live shows, so we are also rehearsing for the upcoming live shows like never before. It feels good to be in this band, we have had some praising reviews and we feel very optimistic about the future of the band.

2.Where did you come up with the idea for the band name?

- It was our previous drummer who first came up with the name. We had couple of other names to choose from, but we eventually picked this one as we all thought it suited our music best. But of course all that was ages ago. We are still very pleased with the name, although some might think it might refer too much into the music we played in the past. We are different in many ways compared to the early days, but nevertheless, we feel that we are still the same band and the name suites are current style as well.

3. How would you describe your sound for someone who has never heard you before?

- We have a melodic and proggresive approach into metal. We have mostly clean vocals with some additional growling and screaming as well. Synths have a major role in our music so there´s a lot of atmosphere and emotion involved. Some say that we have our own unique sound, which is sometimes comparable with Tiamat, Anathema, In the Woods... and The Gathering.

4. What are some of the best shows that you have played so far and how would you describe your live performance?

- That´s a tough one. We have had plenty of good shows with great bands like Satyricon and Anathema. But I have to admit that the latest, smaller club shows in Finland have also been the better ones. I think our performance has improved dramatically in past few years. It used to be very uncomfortable to perform live, but now I think it´s a real pleasure.

5. Are there any future plans for a U.S tour?

- Well, it´s a long time dream. It would be great to come there as we have lots of fans there. Hopefully we can pull it through some day.

6. Out off all the albums you have recorded so far which one are you the most satisfied with?

- It has to be the Binding of the Spirit album. It was, and always will be the best album for me. There is so much personal stuff and emotion involved in that album and in the making process that it´s hard to beat. Sure, the new album is great and Quicksilver Clouds was great too, but there is just something in that album that I can´t explain. It still gives me shivers when I listen to it. I know many people won´t agree, but for me, it´s the best Throes of Dawn album ever.

7. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?

- Our lyrics have always been quite dark, and that´s the way I want it to be. I write all the lyrics and they are often about things that have happened in my life, although it might be difficult to see those things when you read them, cause I often write in a somewhat unclear way, mixing different themes and words. The texts can feel confusing sometimes, but there´s always something in there that´s very personal and genuine.

8. How has the new material been recieved so far by the metalcommunity so far?

- We have had a mixed response. Some people praise the new album and some don´t like it all. But we knew that it would come to this. We knew that The Great Fleet of Echoes is going to divide the listeners because it´s so different from our previous albums. The songs are more diverse and melodic, and some are songs can hardly be described as metal, so we knew that it was coming. And we dont care really. We know that the album is good and something that we have always wanted to make, so it doesn´t really matter if someone else doesn´t like it.

9. How would you decribe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the band heading into on future releases?

- We have started with raw and technical black/ death metal which soon turned into more melodic dark metal on our second Dreams of the Black Earth album. Our third album Binding of the Spirit was more downtempo and depressing than any of the previous albums. At the same time the synths were taking more and more part in the song writing process and they became a key element. Quicksilver Clouds introduced some new elements into our sound, bringing it a step closer to our latest The Great Fleet of Echoes which is very melodic, progressive and melancholic album. I think the next album will propably continue on the same lines as our latest album... but you never know really until you have finished the recordings and there´s still a long way until we get there.

10. Does Paganism or Occultism play any role in the music?

- When we started playing in 1994 we were interested in all the occult and pagan stuff we could get our hands on. I still have lots of books from those days but I have to tell you that those are things of the past. I very seldom read any occult books or anything related. I am an atheist and I feel those things are quite distant in my world. I have nothing against them, but it´s just not my cup of tea.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the band and what are you listening to nowadays?

- I have been listening to all sorts of music lately from Massive Attack to Shining. Our musical influences from the metal genre would be Tiamat, Anathema, In The Woods..., Decoryah etc. Influences outside metal would be: porcupine Tree, king Crimson, Pink Floyd, Swans

12. WHat are some of your interests outside of music?

- outside music i live very casual life, but i like to travel read books and that kind of normal stuff but I am also very interested in photography. I know I am just an amateur but some of my pictures have been used in the cover layout of our latest album.

13. Any final words or thoughts?

- Thanks for the interview! Please check our new album The Great Fleet of Echoes, available from itunes and Firebox records. www.firebox.fi www.throesofdawn.com

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Orcustus are a band from Norway that consists of band members that have played in Gorgoroth, Enslaved, and Gehenna that plays a raw form of Satanic Norwegian black metal and this is a review of their 2009 self titled album which was released by Southern Lord Records.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of blast beats being utilized, while the bass playing is really fast and primal which follows the riffs coming out of the guitars.

Rythym guitars are very fast morbid and raw sounding fast black metal riffs with some midpaced riffing and some parts that are very thrash influenced and there are no lead guitars or solos on this album.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls on one song, while the lyrics are about hatred for the world with an Anti Christian as well as a theistic form of Satanism message being presented and there are some spoken word samples used on a few songs, as for the production which was recorded and produced at Misantrof Studios with the vocals being recorded at Slimecave Studios during the years of 2007 and 2008 sound very professional but retains the raw black metal feel.

In my opinion this is a very good album and while it is not very origianl it is still very heavy, raw and well played by a bunch of veterans that have been apart of the black metal scene for almost 20 years, if you are a fan of raw Satanic Anti Christian Nowegian black metal you will not be dissapointed.

Wolves In The Throne Room are a band from Olympia, Washington that plays a brand of eco-fascist black metal with some ambient influences and this is a review of their 2009 album "Black Cascade" which was released by Southern Lord Records during the year of 2009.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of fast blast beats and some ocassional slow parts while the synths when they are utilized give the music a very dark ambient feel, as for the bass playing it follows the riffs coming out of the guitars and is all rythym bass.

Rythym guitars use alot of variety with some slow atmospheric riffs that have some doom metal influences that are very depressing sounding mixed with alot of fast primal black metal riffing while the lead guitars when they are used are very melodic and there is not much in the way of guitar solos, acoustic guitars when they are used use alot of full chords and give the music a very dark and depressive atmosphere.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics touch on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner and one of the songs is based on his novel "Lucifer And Ahriman" mixed with some nature orientated shamanism/occultism that carries an extreme left wing message. as for the production of the album which was recorded at London Bridge Studio during November of 2008 with some additional recording at Aleph Studios sounds professional but still raw in a raw black metal way.

In my opinion this is a really good album and prove's why Wolves In THe Throne Room are one of the leading bands in the United States Black Metal, if you are a fan of their prevoius albums you should enjoy this one as well, also check out their live hhows, I have seen them play a couple of times and they have one of the best live performances I have seen for a black metal band.

Old Wainds are a band from Russia that plays a raw style of nature orientated black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Death Nord Kult" which was released by Moribund Records under exclusive pact with Debemur Morti Productions.

Drums utilize alot of midpaced beats that are influenced by thrash metal with some brutal blast beats, while the synths when they are used sound very dark and it is only used as a sound effect instead of being a dominant instrument, as for the bass playing it follows the riffs coming out of the guitars and it is all rythym bass.

Rythym guitars use a mixture of thrash influenced riffs mixed with some midpaced parts as well as some fast, raw and primal black metal riffing and there are no lead guitars or solos being utilized on this recording.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with a few seconds of clean singing, while the lyrics are about death orientated subjects with some nature themes as well as a touch of Slavic Paganism, as for the production which was recorded during the months of July through October 2007 at Leo Fucking and The End Studios, mixed during the months of Febuary through May 2008 sounds very professional but retains the raw feel that is needed for this style of black metal.

In my personal opinion this is a decent album from a great band and while it is probably not the most original album that I hsve heard it is still a good album and I am looking forward to hearing more stuff from this band in the future, If you are a fan of thrash orientated raw black metal this is a worthwhile album to add to your collection.

Standout tracks include "Storm-Whip" and "Born In The Freezing Dark". RECOMMENDED BUY

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Archgoat are a legendary black metal band from Finland that has been around since 1989 and helped create or pioneer a style of blackened death metal known as Goat Metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "The Light-Devouring Darkness which was released by Moribund Records under exclusive pact with Blasphemous Underground Productions.

Drums are very brutal with slow slow beats that turn into some very brutal blast beats while the bass playing follows the riffs of the guitars and is mixed doen low in the mix.

Guitars contain some very fast primal black metal riffs mixed with some slow heavy stuff that has a heavy death metal influence and there are no lead guitars contained on this recording.

Vocals are mostly deep growls with some Satanic chanting mixed in, while the lyrics cover a very dark form of Satanism with Luciferian overtones that also have alot of blasphemy and Anti Christian topics as well, as for the production it is very raw and primal which I am sure that is what the band wanted.

In my opinion this is a very good album that sounds as good as the stuff they did in the 90's but with alot more heaviness, if you are a fan of Archgoat and all the other true Satanic black metal bands from the 90's.

Standout tracks include "Apotheosis Of Lucifer" "Goat and The Moon" "The Light-Devouring Darkness" and "Fornicated Messiah". RECOMMENDED BUY

Spiculum Iratus are an underground black metal band from Los Angeles, California and this is a review of their 2009 album "Summa Anti-Theologica which was released byBaneful Genesis Records.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of brutal blast beats being utilized, while the bass playing has a dark tone that utilizes alot of fast riffing, as for the intros in between the songs they are very evil sounding and has a very anti Xian as well as Catholic feel with some Satanic type chanting

Rythym guitars are very fast,raw, melodic and primal black metal riffs with a grim and depressive feel with little or no lead guitars being used, while the vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls being mixed in as well.

Lyrics contain alot of hate that contain a religous black metal feel with a very any Catholicism/Christain message, while the production sounds very raw and primal in the classic black metal vien, as for the cover worjk it is very dark and occultic.

In my opinion this is a very good from from an underground U.S black metal band and I am looking forward to hearing some newer material, they alos put on a brutal stage performance which I witnessed laswt summer.

Standout tracks include "Orations Recited From The Mouths of The Jawless" "Dismantle Of The Sensus Divinitatus" and "Expurgated Omnopotence". RECOMMENDED BUY

Kult Of Azazel are a band from Florida that has been around for more than a decade and are one of the best known U.S black metal bands and this is a a review of their 2009 album "Destroying The Hatred" which was released on Artic Music Group.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of blast beats that sound very brutal while the bass guitar follows the riffs coming from the guitars with on bass leads being utilized and is mixed down low in the mix except for the last song which is a cover of some old 80's hardcore punk song.

Rythym guitars are very fast mixing some of the fastest elements of black metal with some death metal and thrash influences that has some melody being utilized, while the lead guitars are fast and you can hear alot of influences from all of the fastest forms of metal.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams mixed in with some deep death metal growls, while the lyrics are very anti Christian, Jewish, Muslim as well as hatred for other forms of Abrahamic religions mixed in with some Satanic topics, as for the production which was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and Produced by Brian Elliott and Kult Of Azazel sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments.

In my opinion this is probably not the best album this band has not put out since it adds nothing new to the table but it is stilla good album and fans of fast and brutal black metal with a death metal edge wont be dissapointed.

Throne Of Katarsis are a band from Norway that consists of 2 members that play a raw form of Norwegian black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Helvete Det Det Iskalde Morket" which was released by Candlelight USA.

Drums range from being slow to midpaced with some brutal blast beats mixed in the give the music some variety, while the bass playing utilizes a very dark tone and is all rythym bass, as for the sound effects when they are utilized sound very evil and give the music a daek avant garde feel.

Rythym guitars are very raw with some slower riffs mixed with a depressive doomy edge that evoke some memories of being stuck in a forest at night with some fast playing that utilizes alot of tremolo picking but there still is alot of midpaced parts as well, while the lead guitars are very distorted and melodic, acoustic guitars when they are used utilize alot of finger picking mixed with full chords and there is some use of a classical guitar as well.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams mixed with with an ocassional deep growl which contains alot of agony with some clean singing that sounds very dark and sinister and brings back memories of the early 90's Norwegian black metal scene mixed in with some choir type of vocals, while the lyrics are written in a mixture of Norwegian and English languages cover alot of topics mostly being of a very ritualistic form of Satanism along with some nature as well as some very Anti Christian themes, as for the production it sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments.

In my opinion this is a very good album and while I prefer their earlier album to this one, I still feel this is a masterpeice in its own way, if you are a fan of raw Norwegian black metal you will not be dissapointed.

Standout tracks include "The Winds of Blasphemy Have Returned" "The Darkest Path" and "DET Iskalde Morkrt". RECOMMENDED BUY

Friday, February 5, 2010

Funeral Mist are a black metal band from Sweden that I would describe as raw Satanic religous black metal and is the main project of Mrtuus better known as the lead singer of MArduk and this is a review of their 2009 album "Maranatha" which was released in 2009.

Drums on this album are mostly fast blast beats with some ocasional slow to midpaced drumming while the bass playing is all dark and primative sounding which gives the music a very heavy edge.

Rythymm guitars on this cd cover plenty of ground with some slow to midpaced riffing that has a very occultic feel with some fast black metal riffing while the lead guitars sound very distorted with little or no guitar solos.

Vocals are in the high pitched black metal scream vien with some distorted vocals that sound deep and at times the singer sounds like he is getting strangled to death with some ocassional clean vocals mixed with female operatic vocals that are sound by a choir, at times ther are spoken word parts that sound like Pat Robbertson losing his mind, while the production sounds very professional but yet still raw in a non commercial vein captures all the sounds of the instruments, as for the lyrics to cover a biblical version of Satanism that is very ortodox and satanic which seems to be the style in Sweden nowadays.

In my opinion this is a good album from Funral Mist and if you are a fan of Unorothodox Satanic Occultic black metal you will not be disapointed.

Bergraven are a band from Sweden that plays a very original form of black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Till makebert vasen" which was released by HydraHead Records.

Drums are mostly slow to midpaced on this album with not much in the way of fast playing or blast beats except for maybe a few songs, while the bass playing takes influences from many different styles of music and plays the role of a lead bass and is one of the most dominant instruments on this album.

Rythym guitars are mostly slow doomy black metal riffing with some midpaced to fast playing mixed in the music while the guitar leads are very distorted as well as progressive with some slide guitar playing mixed in that gives the music a very ambient/new age feel that utilizes many different musical styles, as for the acoustic guitar when it is utilized it sounds very dark and tragic with full chords being utillized.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some cleam singing that has an avant garde feel and some ocassional whispered vocals, while the production which was recorded at Necrmobus Studios in Stockholm, Sweden sounds very professional and you can hear every instrument on this album, as for the lyrics they are all in Swedish but probably cover depressing topics since this band has been labeled a Shining rip off but yet sounds nothing like them as on this album.

In my personal opinion this is a good album from a very talented band that sounds very original and progessive, if you are a fan of proggesive and experimental dark/black metal you should get this album for your collection, you will not be disapointed.

Beherit is a legendary black metalband from Finland that has been around for 2 decades and this is a review of their comeback album "Engram" released by Spinefarm Records in 2009 and unlike their first 2 albums which were more a deathgrind orientated but still very blasphemous and the 3rd album which was dark ambient this is a pure black album that sounds very modern but very original and anti commercial.

Drums are mostly fast blast beats with some ocassional slow to midpaced parts, while the bass playing is all fast, primal and noisy, as for the keyboards/synths when they are utilized they are very evil sounding and have a dark ambient feel to them.

Rythym guitars are mostly fast raw and primal black metal riffs with some ocassional parts that sound very dark and doomy while some of the non distorted parts have a very trippy feel, while the lead guitars sound very distorted and melodic with little or no guitar solos being used.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some clean vocals and the ocassional deep growls that are very ritualistic and call up the infernal names as well as the pagan gods and godesses while the production which was recorded in D Studios during December of 2008 and mastered at KOG Studios sounds professional but still dark and primal, as for the lyrics they cover a very left hand path sinister form of Satanism mixed with dark Paganism as well as Kali worship.

In my opinion this is a good album and Beherit showed after a long hiatus that they can still compete with any new black metallband and this is alot different than their older material, older fans kind off have mixed views on this album, but I still like this record alot and I hope Beherit keeps recording new material.

Standout tracks include "All In Satan" "Pagan Moon" and "demon Advance". RECOMMENDED FOR ALL TRUE SATANISTS AND FOLLOWERS OF THE LEFT HAND PATH.

Gorgoroth are a band from Norway that has been around for 2 decades and is a very influential Norwegian black metall bands with band members that have spent time in jail and have had some live performances that have shocked Xians and Catholics worldwide, this is a review of their new album with a different line up than previous releases "Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahaunt" which was released by Regain Records in the year of 2009.

Drums sound very professional with some blast beats mixed with some slow to midpaced parts that seem to be influenced by many different styles of metal while the bass playingg which was done by Doddel aka Frank Watkins known best known for his performances with legandary death metal band Obituary is his most primal to date that has a dark sound that is all rythym bass.

Rythym guitars contain alot of diversity with a mixture of slow depressive to fast black metal riffing that also contains alot of thrash and traditional metal influences while the lead guitars use alot of melody and there is not that many guitar solos.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some ocassional clean singing while the production which was recorded in Monolith Studio, Mastered by Infernus, Asklund and Mats Lindford at Cutting Room that was produced by Infernus and Tomas Asklund who also did the Enginering and Mixing sounds very professional and you can hear all of the instruments, as for the artwork it is all black and white with a skull on the cover. Lyrics are mostly about Satanism mixed with some Greek Mythology as well as Nietzsche style of philosophy.

In my opinion this is a good comeback album fro Gorgoroth and while it is probably not their heaviest or best this is still a worthwhile record that does not dissapoint and does not fall in the sellout category, but I will admit this cd had to grow on me.

Pestilential Shadows are a band from Australia that plays a style of music that I would describe as raw primal black metal with a melodic edge that they describe as Anti Human Plague Black Metal and this is a review of their 2009 album which was released by Pulverized Records "in Memoriam Ill Omen".

Drums range from being midpaced to fast with some blast beats while the bass playing sounds very dark and is all rythym bass with a tone that is kind of buried in the mix but can actually be heard on a few songs, keyboards when they are incorporated sound very dark and have a gothic horror feel not to be confused with gothic rock, what I am describing is more of a classic black and white horror film type of feel.

Rythym guitars contain alot of variety with some midpaced to fast primal black metal riffing mixed with some slow depressive riffs that sound tragic with some drones and doom influenes that utilizes some of the heaviest palm muting I have ever heard and there are some ocassional mellow parts that contain some dark ambience, while the guitar leads are very distorted with alot of melody that reminds me of some Orthodox Satanic Swedish black metal bands.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams that at times sounds like the singer is in agony with some ocassional deep growls while the production which was recorded at Scourge Studio in 2007, Engineered and mixed by Balaam and Mastered by D. Baackovic sounds very professional for this kind of music without sounding commercial, as for the l;yrics they reflect a biblical form of Satanism without overusing the devil's name mixed with some hateful and depressing type of subjects.

Artwork on this recording which was designed by Balam is in all black and white shows a mixture of angels and devils with the angels decaying and bleeding which kind of reminds me of epic poems such as Paradise Lost by John Milton and The Divine Comedy by Dante.

In my opinion this is a very good album and I think this record will be a worthy addition to any true black metal fan's music collection.